The simultaneous realization of high- and low-temperature thermometry in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles

Under 980 nm excitation, strong upconversion emissions can be observed in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles at both high and low temperatures. The optical temperature sensing properties based on upconversion emission of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles were investigated. The results demonstrate that the Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles can be operated in a wide temperature range of 93-613 K with a maximum sensitivity approximately 0.0044 K-1 at 427 K, indicating that high- and low-temperature thermometry can be simultaneously realized in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles. These characteristics make the Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles potential candidate for optical temperature sensor using a fluorescence intensity ratio technique. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.